Andrew Dort is the Founder of Pride Lending LLC, the first mortgage company in the United States founded with a mission to serve the LGBTQ+ community. Launched in 2020, Andrew is committed to increasing homeownership among queer and trans people, especially since our community has historically faced housing discrimination and instability. With his eight years of mortgage industry experience under his belt, he’s passionate about educating first time homebuyers.

Through his journey from receptionist to branch manager to entrepreneur, Andrew has championed inclusivity and advocated for equity within the industry. During this interview, he shares insights into his professional trajectory, the challenges he has faced, and the inspiration behind Pride Lending's mission to provide accessible and supportive services to queer and trans individuals seeking homeownership. He also provides some tips for those looking to break into the industry as well as first time prospective homebuyers curious about the process and their consumer rights. Let’s jump right in!

Can you walk us through your professional journey and how you got to where you are today?

I grew up in Arkansas, but moved around as a kid. I lived in South Jersey for five years, moved back to Arkansas, and then spent my formative years in Kansas. While in high school, I worked in real estate, helping my dad acquire properties. Then I moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where I really found myself, coming out to myself and everyone around me. From there, I moved to Denver, where I became actively involved within the LGBTQ+ community and met my husband.

In 2015, I began my journey in the mortgage industry, starting as a receptionist. I had the privilege of working alongside some fantastic people and gradually moved my way up the chain as a Junior Processor, then a Processor, then a Loan Officer Assistant to a licensed Loan Officer, and eventually a Branch Manager before starting my own company, Pride Lending.

I never initially considered going into the mortgage industry, but I'm so glad that I did. It's been a truly rewarding journey, and I'm proud to help our community reach their homeownership goals.

What inspired you to offer the services you provide?

We in the LGBTQ+ community trail our heterosexual counterparts in homeownership, and discrimination is still rampant in the mortgage industry. I've had people call me crying on the phone because I was the second lender they were reaching out to after the first found out they were queer and started treating them differently or stopped returning calls/emails.

Luckily, you have protected consumer rights, which are included as the disclosures in a loan application. If you have concerns about your consumer rights, you can reach out to agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Secondly, it’s helpful to know the values of who you’re working with. Luckily, many folks in the industry have a service-first approach, rather than being solely interested in profit. My favorite part of the job is the educational component because very few, if at all, teach this stuff for free. On the flipside, I know some loan officers charge for a credit report upfront. I recommend finding one that doesn't run your credit, and instead, just offers a preliminary consultation to get the information that you need. Often, it’s about reaching out and getting the right information, because so many don't know where to start. Being able to support and provide educational resources to our community is one of the major reasons why I started Pride Lending.

What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your journey as a service provider, and what did you do to overcome this?

The mortgage industry is largely a cis/het/white/male-dominated field. For many LGBTQ+ people looking for a lender, loan officer, or agent, it’s often their first time making contact with anyone in the industry, and something as simple as pronouns can be challenging. The same applies to same-sex couples applying for a joint application. Although awareness has improved, it's still comforting for clients to work with LGBTQ+ industry professionals who understand these nuances.

Another significant challenge is working with clients who speak English as a second language, given the amount of critical financial and legal information involved in the loan process. To address this, one major goal of Pride Lending is to change the face of the mortgage industry by hiring and supporting mortgage professionals from underserved communities. For instance, I am looking to expand my business by employing someone who speaks Ethiopian because I serve many Ethiopian clients. By doing so, we can better serve our diverse clientele and ensure clear communication and understanding throughout the loan process.

If you could give one piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ service providers within your field, what would it be?

Don't back down. Don't minimize yourself in the space. Demand your seat at the table and be proud of who you are. If anyone is thinking about getting involved in the industry in any capacity, my door is always open. My calendar is open because I would love to see more folks get into the mortgage industry that represent the actual people we're lending to.

I’ve been in situations where I’ve called people out on inexcusable behavior. For instance, I serve on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee for the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. Being in a leadership role can involve holding people accountable to rectify inappropriate or even discriminatory behavior. I recognize queer people often have to be their own advocate, which is rough, but we are witnessing social change within the industry. So never feel bad about being part of that change.

How does being openly queer inspire or impact your business?

For the most part, very positively. Obviously there will be the occasional hateful or ignorant comment made but so far, it seems most people support our mission.

What brands or services by LGBTQ+ founders are your go-to's and why?

I love The Liv Tru Co., an LGBTQ+ apparel company, because they offer Pride merch all year ‘round.

Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity, and why?

Graham Norton because I love his conversational style. He puts people at ease. I also adore his British accent.

Can you share one fun fact about yourself?

The first person I came out to was the future Gov. of Colorado (at the time, a U.S. Representative) Jared Polis via Twitter. 

Visit Pride Lending LLC’s profile on Famm here. Check out Pride Lending LLC’s website and Instagram.